East Fife secure Barclays Scottish Women’s Championship title

East Fife have secured the Barclays Scottish Women’s Championship title with a 2-1 victory against Glasgow Girls and Women at Alliance Park.

Having stretched their lead at the top of Scotland’s third tier of women’s football to 14 points ahead of the league split, the result secures the title with only 12 points left to play for.

It was the hosts who opened the scoring through Caitlin McKee after 24 minutes, but Fife skipper and top scorer Teri Skivington levelled within minutes. Veteran defender Liz Corke provided the winner from the penalty spot in the second half to secure the title.

The Methil side will now be presented with the league trophy by title sponsors Barclays at their home game against Inverness Caledonian Thistle at the MGM Timber Bayview stadium next Sunday.

Koral Anderson, Head of Transformation for Barclays UK and Scotland Site Lead said: “Congratulations to East Fife for securing the Championship title and promotion to the SWPL2 with four games to go. The fact the team has not lost a league game since November is truly amazing and testament to their skill, dedication and teamwork throughout the season.

“As sponsors, Barclays are proud to celebrate not only the East Fife victory but the power of diversity in a sport where every player contributes to the strength and growth of the beautiful game. Many thanks to all teams for making it a thrilling season and we look forward to an equally dynamic competition next season”

Elsewhere in the Barclays Scottish Women’s Championship, the race for the SWPL Playoff spot in second is red-hot, with Stirling University beating Inverness Caledonian Thistle to keep them ahead, and Renfrew Ladies beating Falkirk 3-1 at home to move a point behind.

In the bottom half of the table, Hutchison Vale’s relegation looks all but certain after a 11-0 defeat to Dryburgh Athletic in Dundee. The Edinburgh side now find themselves 8 points behind Westdyke, who played out a 2-2 draw with Morton in Aberdeenshire.

In the Barclays Scottish Women’s League One, Giffnock Soccer Centre beat bottom side Dundee West 6-1 to leave their hosts nine points adrift at the foot of the table. Leaders Bonnyrigg Rose won 2-0 in Inverurie but Armadale Thistle also won a close game against Dunipace at home 4-3 to remain just a point behind the leaders.

Elsewhere St Mirren beat Queen of the South 5-1 and Edinburgh Caledonia came from behind to win 3-1 against Kilwinning FA